Hunter Harvey

Working his way back from elbow issues in 2014, there was hope in Baltimore's camp that Harvey could help at the MLB level in 2015. That was not the case, as Harvey was hit in the shin by a come-backe...

There are two major bullet points attached to Harvey’s 2014 season. The first is that he was awesome, and pitched himself into the discussion of best young arms in the minor leagues. The second is that he was shut down in late July with a strained flexor mass in his throwing elbow. Baltimore is confident Harvey will avoid surgery, but in addition to preventing the 6-foot-3 righty from possibly getting a taste of High-A before the end of the season, it also leaves a slight cloud hanging over his 2015 outlook. In 87.2 innings at Low-A Delmarva, Harvey posted a 106:33 K:BB ratio and a 3.18 ERA. Assuming he enters camp rested and healthy, Harvey could rise like a rocket through the Orioles’ system. If his changeup can develop into a useful complement to his already plus fastball/curveball combo, Harvey is someone with the ability to finish the year as the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball.

2014

The son of former MLB closer Bryan Harvey signed quickly after the draft and logged a good chunk of innings in the rookie leagues. Harvey more than held his own at both stops, using a fastball that sits in the low-90s (he could reach the mid-90s as he continues to advance), while a curveball and a changeup serve as his secondary pitches, both of which need work. Despite his youth, Harvey seems likely to get a full season at Low-A as a 19-year-old but could become a frontline starter, if everything goes as planned with his development.